Chu Ruoyan's eyes turned icy: "What a cunning move!"
To exterminate the entire Qiao Family yet leave behind a strong and healthy Qiao Dali—wasn’t this precisely to incite him to cause trouble?
Chu Huaishan asked with a trembling voice, "Who did you say died?"
Meng Yang had no choice but to repeat himself. Chu Huaishan stamped his foot and exclaimed, "Ah, this… this… With the Qiao Family gone, wouldn’t our Chu Family be framed as the culprits?"
Meng Yang hurriedly reassured him, "Rest assured, Lord Duke, I’ve already taken Qiao Dali under control. There’s no way he’ll escape and stir up trouble!"
Yet, to everyone’s surprise, Chu Ruoyan interjected, "Let him cause trouble!"
Meng Yang’s eyes widened in shock, while Yan Zheng added in a deep voice, "Indeed, let him go."
Chu Huaishan also turned to them in confusion. Without explaining immediately, Chu Ruoyan asked Meng Yang, "What was the scene like when you arrived?"
"Well… By the time we got there, the authorities were already present. Qiao Dali was wailing uncontrollably, drawing a crowd of onlookers from the neighborhood. The officials initially refused to release him, but after I discreetly revealed the Chief Minister’s token, they handed him over to me…"
Chu Ruoyan nodded slowly. "Exactly. By the time you arrived, it was already too late. Even if we detain Qiao Dali, with so many witnesses, our enemies could easily bribe someone else—be it a Zhang Dali or a Li Dali—to take up the Qiao Family’s cause. Worse still, they might turn the tables and accuse us of abusing power to persecute innocent civilians. Then we’d truly have no way to defend ourselves!"
There was one more thought she kept to herself:
No destruction, no construction. Once the scandal spreads far and wide, the culprits would have nowhere to hide.
Meng Yang’s expression turned grave, clearly not having considered this angle. Chu Huaishan said, "Ruoyan makes a valid point. Besides, we’ve done nothing wrong—upright we stand, unafraid of shadows. Let them come and accuse us!"
Meng Yang immediately acted on the orders. Chu Huaishan then turned to Yan Zheng. "Chief Minister, what’s your plan? Seven days—that’s far too tight a deadline for a case over a decade old!"
Yan Zheng and Chu Ruoyan exchanged a glance and smiled. "Father-in-law, do you recall the Bai Xiao Pavilion?"
"Bai Xiao Pavilion? You intend to seek information from them?" Chu Huaishan frowned. "It’s not a bad idea, but what if they don’t have anything…"
"Even if they don’t, it’s fine. Father, don’t you think Second Sister and Lady Feng bear an uncanny resemblance?" Chu Huaishan froze as Chu Ruoyan continued, "Their looks are secondary—what’s striking is their mannerisms. Second Sister and Lady Feng carry themselves identically. Otherwise, how could Prince Qin have mistaken them?"
Chu Huaishan drew a sharp breath. "You suspect the Feng Family?"
The question unsettled Chu Ruoyan.
What was so special about the Feng Family that they couldn’t be suspected?
She turned to Yan Zheng. "During the Qujiang Banquet, Empress Pei also seemed wary of them. What makes them so exceptional?"
Yan Zheng didn’t answer immediately, glancing around instead. "Let’s discuss this in the carriage."
Inside the carriage, the three sat facing each other.
Yan Zheng looked at Chu Huaishan, who said, "Let me explain."
Yan Zheng nodded, and Chu Huaishan began, "Ruoyan, while this generation of the Feng Family only has Feng Huan and Feng Shuo serving as officials, their ancestor, Elder Feng, once took a blade for the late Emperor—saving his life! His left foot wasn’t injured in battle but during an assassination attempt on the Emperor. The family simply concealed the truth to avoid making the imperial family indebted to them."
"The late Emperor, burdened by guilt, showered them with favor—even promoting Feng Shuo, a mere concubine-born son, to a substantial post in the Ministry of Revenue. Moreover, he bestowed upon them a Dan Shu Tie Quan—a pardon certificate—pledging eternal prosperity for the Feng Family and exempting Elder Feng and his descendants from capital punishment. Such imperial grace is unparalleled in the history of Great Xia, which is why the court treats the Feng Family with such reverence."
Chu Ruoyan had never imagined such a backstory.
Her heart grew heavy. If Lady Jiang the Younger’s case truly implicated the Feng Family, another storm of bloodshed was inevitable.
"Nevertheless, Ruoyan, you and the Chief Minister must investigate without restraint. If they’re truly involved, I’ll stake my life to seek justice for your mother and sister!"
Chu Huaishan’s gaze turned razor-sharp with resolve. Yan Zheng said, "Father-in-law, you exaggerate. Let us escort you home first."
When the carriage halted before the Chu Residence, Chu Huaishan alighted, nodding at them before entering.
Yan Zheng returned to the carriage and took Chu Ruoyan’s hand. "Why are your hands so cold?"
She smiled faintly. "Just weak health—it’s always been this way…" Leaning her head against his shoulder, she murmured, "Yan Zheng, before learning about the Feng Family’s pardon certificate, I was somewhat confident. But now, I fear I’ve brought trouble upon you again…"
"Nonsense. We’re one—your troubles are mine. What trouble?" Yan Zheng pulled her closer, his composed tone laced with pride. "Besides, I’ve already slain the Marquis of Pingjing. What’s a mere Feng Family to me? Don’t fret."
When no reply came, he glanced down—only to find her asleep against his chest.
A faint smile touched his lips as he hooked a blanket over her with his foot.
Upon reaching the Yan Family’s estate, he carried her inside without waking her.
That night, Chu Ruoyan slept more peacefully than ever.
The next morning, the familiar warmth beside her was gone. Nanny Zhou greeted her cheerfully, "You’re awake, my lady! Yulu, fetch water!"
Chu Ruoyan hummed in response, then froze upon noticing she was still dressed. "Last night…"
"Last night, the young master carried you back and didn’t let us attend to you. This morning, we found him still holding you in the same position—he stayed like that the entire night!" Yulu blurted out.
Chu Ruoyan gasped. "What about his arms? Can he still move them?"
Nanny Zhou blinked in surprise—had her lady reverted to her old self?
"Don’t listen to Yulu’s exaggerations, my lady. The young master is a trained warrior—hardly so fragile. He recovered after sitting for a while this morning! Before leaving, he asked us to tell you that court duties keep him occupied, so the Chu Family’s case rests on your shoulders. As a precaution, he left Shadow behind to—AAAAAH!"
Nanny Zhou shrieked as a hand suddenly appeared behind her. Yulu burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Nanny Zhou, even you can be startled!"
Turning, they saw Shadow standing there, bewildered.
"Shadow, next time, could you announce yourself first? This old woman’s heart can’t take it!" Nanny Zhou scolded, her face pale.
Shadow pointed at his mouth, then shook his head—he was mute and couldn’t speak.
Nanny Zhou’s heart ached at the sight of the youth, who was no older than her grandson.
Yulu suggested, "If you can’t speak, at least make some noise when walking…"
But Chu Ruoyan overruled her. "Shadow is an assassin—moving silently is fundamental to his craft. Here’s an idea: hang wind chimes along the corridor. Before entering, Shadow can ring them to avoid startling anyone."
Shadow’s eyes filled with gratitude. Yulu clapped. "Brilliant!" She and Nanny Zhou hurried off to arrange it.
Alone with Shadow, Chu Ruoyan asked, "Well? Has Bai Xiao Pavilion responded?"
